October 17, 2025
If you’re planning a remodel, the question I’m asked most is, “How long will this take?” With 20 years of experience managing hundreds of projects across San Diego, I can provide you with a clear and realistic roadmap. Below, I’ll walk you through timelines for our two delivery models—our Expedited Kitchen & Bath process and our Design-Build model for larger scopes—plus what speeds things up (and what slows them down). I’ll start with a quick snapshot, then break down each phase so you know exactly what to expect.
For San Diego homeowners who are ready or seriously considering a remodel, this guide is for you. I’ll show you what a realistic schedule looks like in our city and county, how permitting typically works here, where small-jurisdiction delays can occur, and how cabinet/material lead times influence start dates. If you want fewer surprises and better decisions, keep reading—next, we’ll look at quick wins in our expedited kitchen & bath track and when it makes sense to choose full design-build.
🎧 Prefer to listen? Hit play—I’ll walk you through San Diego permits, lead times, and real start dates.
▶️ Prefer to watch? This 6-minute video walks you through San Diego permits, lead times, and realistic timelines.
Want the quick version by project type? Jump to the TL;DR below.
*Durations are typical ranges based on San Diego conditions and not guarantees. Permits typically run concurrently with planning. Smaller jurisdictions—such as Poway, Chula Vista, and Santee—can add months.
Next, I’ll outline how our Expedited Kitchen & Bath model operates, from consultation to completion of the punch list.
I designed this model for homeowners who want a swift, well-managed kitchen or bath without reinventing the wheel.
After your in-home consultation, we’ll invite you back to our showroom in 1–2 weeks to review your conceptual design and proposal. You’ll see layout direction, key finishes, and an itemized scope so you can say yes with confidence.
Up next: what happens the moment you sign—VEC and selections.
Once you sign, we schedule your VEC (Verification & Engineering Coordination) meeting, usually for the following week. We confirm dimensions, utilities, and any structural nuances. The following week, we will host your product selections and cabinet meeting to finalize orders and confirm delivery dates. For bathrooms, we typically start ~4–6 weeks after contract (assuming City/County permitting and no unusual lead times).
Next, let’s talk permits—and why San Diego City/County is usually fast, while some smaller cities aren’t.
San Diego Permit Snapshot: The City and County of San Diego often allow no-plan permits for many kitchens/baths (< 1 week). Smaller cities (Poway, Chula Vista, Santee) may require a complete plan review (can be months).
Now, the most significant start-date driver for kitchens: cabinets.
Cabinets often determine your construction start. The typical lead time is 6–8 weeks, but it varies by line and manufacturer. Because we partner with multiple cabinet lines, we can switch to a faster option when timing is critical.
Need a realistic kitchen start date?
We’ll check cabinet lead times and your jurisdiction, then give you an accurate window.
Book Your ConsultationWith permits and materials aligned, here’s how long construction actually takes.
For larger projects, additions, or whole home transformations, our Design-Build model is the better fit—here’s how that timeline works.
When you’re reconfiguring space, adding square footage, or undertaking a comprehensive whole home update, our Design-Build process aligns architecture, engineering, selections, permitting, and construction under one accountable team.
Once your retainer is signed, we will proceed with the conceptual design and bring you back to the showroom in approximately six weeks for your design + proposal presentation. Complexity, optioning, and decision speed can stretch or compress this window.
After you approve the construction contract, we enter the pre-construction phase—the engine of an on-time start.
Pre-construction is the engine room of an on-time remodel. That is where we lock drawings, engineering, permits, materials, and trade schedules, ensuring your start date is realistic—not optimistic. In San Diego, coordinating inspections, lead times, and HOA/condo constraints up front saves weeks later. We won’t swing a hammer until the pieces are sequenced and ready, which is how we protect your schedule and your home.
If one box isn’t checked, hold the start—downtime is costlier than patience.
With the pre-construction set, let’s talk about how long the actual build takes by project type.
These ranges reflect typical San Diego conditions, the cadence of inspectors, and the realities of working in occupied homes. Your scope, structural needs, and whether you’re living in the house all influence the final timeline. Think of these as reliable targets with buffers baked in from years of delivering here locally.
Timelines are shaped by more than scope and permits. Next, I’ll show you the factors that can speed things up—or slow them down—and how to plan around them.
Every project has two sets of levers: the external (jurisdictions, inspections, supply chains) and the internal (decisions, scope, access). Knowing which is which helps us prioritize smartly and avoid avoidable slowdowns. We’ll highlight the key drivers so you can see where time is saved or lost.
So how do we keep all of this on track? Here are the safeguards we’ve refined over two decades in San Diego.
This is our playbook: clear start triggers, parallel permitting, disciplined shop drawings, and early trade alignment—refined over two decades in San Diego. It’s how we pass inspections the first time and keep subs marching in sequence.
Want to do your part to keep things moving? Here’s how homeowners can help accelerate timelines.
Homeowner participation is a quiet superpower. Quick approvals, readiness for site access, and flexibility on alternates can compress weeks. These simple moves keep materials flowing and crews productive, which directly shortens your timeline.
Still weighing Expedited Kitchen & Bath vs. Design-Build? Let me help you choose the right path.
Before we wrap up, here are quick answers to questions I get every week.
Usually, no—we process permits during the planning stage. Smaller jurisdictions can add months, and we’ll factor that in up front.
Because of cabinets. We won’t demo until we’ve locked the cabinet delivery window to avoid living without a kitchen longer than necessary.
Yes, but expect longer durations. Phasing around your family and access windows adds time. We’ll propose a plan that strikes a balance between comfort and speed.
Often, yes—by choosing faster cabinet lines, front-loading selections, and pre-booking subs. Quality and inspections still govern pace, and we won’t compromise them.
Inspections are required at key milestones (framing, rough MEPs, waterproofing, finals). In San Diego City/County, we can often book within a few days, depending on the jurisdiction; smaller jurisdictions may take longer to process. We “pre-inspect” work with our trade leads to pass on the first visit. If a re-inspection is needed, expect 2–5 extra days depending on the jurisdiction and calendar.
Yes. HOA/ARC approvals can add several weeks to the permit process, and many condos have strict work hours, elevator reservations, and noise rules that require phased sequencing. We build those constraints into your schedule up front so your start date and completion target remain realistic.
We’ve been remodeling San Diego homes since 2005, and our playbook is built on that field experience: realistic planning, disciplined pre-construction, and craftsmanship that finishes on schedule. Whether you need a quick, well-managed bath refresh or a comprehensive whole home transformation, our team follows a tight, transparent process that respects your time and your home.
Ready to plan your timeline?
Let’s review your scope, jurisdiction, and lead times to provide you with a start date you can trust.
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Kimberly Villa is a recognized expert in the Home Design and Remodeling industry. Her passion for the industry is matched only by her love for sharing insights, new trends, and design ideas. Kimberly’s expertise and enthusiasm shine through in her contributions to the Kaminskiy Design and Remodeling website blog, where she regularly shares valuable information with readers.
